Love Goes: Good Bye 2011......

Today marks our two year anniversary here in Belgrade. I would love to be able to reflect on those opening days but they are a big blur. All I really remember is laying in bed as Belgrade celebrated the new year with a bang - it was so loud I just remember praying "God please let that be fireworks and not small arms fire" For the most part I thank it was... fireworks and probably a little small arms fire:). But enough of that day, Lets look back at 2011!

Obviously the big deal for 2011 happened on January 9th and gave us this

And nearly a year later that grew into this:

We are so blessed to have the boy in our lives. He has added a whole new level of crazy to our family. He is as sweet as they come, with a great attitude and such a boy. The decision Jen made to birth Wilson in Belgrade turned out to be a great one. He really has opened doors for us and has helped us build relationships with friends and neighbors. Hopefully in 2012 he will learn to sleep.
Along with Wilson, early 2011 brought a visit from Grandmother and Grandfather, Miki turned 5 and we all got to reunite with great friends in Germany from our training and had a great week of fellowship and worship (we all missed Doug and Kat). So if your scoring at home at six weeks old Wilson has two stamps in his passport but has yet to be in his home country.

Turning 5

Visit from Grandmother and Grandfather

Retreat to Germany

The spring was busy as English classes started back up, we continued to learn language, took a trip to Budapest, moved into a new flat and had a visit form Miss Kim!

Family pic in Budapest

Pretty Girls at Easter

Mohawk and a Smile


Fun with Miss Kim

The summer was fast and furious as we had many visitors (Papa, Aunt Shea, Uncle Bobby, Doug and Kat, and Aunt Julia. My dad and I took a trip to Germany for sight seeing and the Women's World Cup. The kids kept growing and we had our annual meeting in Bulgaria. I continued meeting with people and drank a ton of cold coffee. The Israel's moved from Novi Sad to Belgrade to work with us. Amy decided Mississippi wasn't cool enough and is spending two years in Belgrade bouncing between dinner with the Stevens' and the Israel's. Christina and Bethany decide to spend the summer in Serbia and (hopefully come back this year). The Seattle girls were a blessing as the watched the kids for us. We did some Roma (gypsy) outreach and began building relationships with some great people in that community. For a summer break it sure was crazy.

Me dad and Ponochio in Berlin

4th of July Belgrade Style

Family Fun in the Elelvator

Bulgaria

Aunt Julia for a visit

The Seattle Girls

Doug and Kat enjoy "Fancy Coffee"


Amy and ladies from Missippi

Summer came to a close and the fall saw the start of school (home and Serbian). Wilson went from a crawl to a walk. Our fellowship began meeting weekly. Jen and I had the opportunity to Disciple some great young ladies. LPC sent a great team of volunteers to teach English. We moved into a new office space while continuing English classes. Jen and Randi started AWANA with the kids which has been amazing. We celebrated thanksgiving with two dear families. Disney on ice came to Belgrade... and we saw it. Kyleigh's school celebrated their 50th anniversary with the most amazing elementary production ever. We finished the year by joining the Israels for the Gingerbread House Building extravaganza and I made my Serbian Acting debut to rave reviews.